RagamuffinCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The breed's history is tied to the Ragdoll. In 1994, a group of breeders from the registry of Ann Baker, the creator of the Ragdoll, decided to leave because of ever tighter restrictions. Because the name “Ragdoll” was a registered trademark, they called their cats Ragamuffin, meaning “street urchin”, a nod to the street cats the breed descended from.

The breeders brought in new genes from carefully chosen longhaired house cats, for health and vigour, while keeping the large body and very calm nature. CFA registered the breed in 2003 and gave it championship status in 2011.

How the breed developed

• 1971–1994 – the Cherubim lines, the basis of the breed, are developed.
• 1994 – breeders split from the Ragdoll registry and choose the name Ragamuffin.
• 2003 – registered by CFA.
• 2011 – championship status at CFA.

• Families with young children. CFA says it is very tolerant.
• People who want a lap cat. It stays for hours next to its favourite person.
• Apartments. It is quiet and not very athletic.
• People with time for brushing. The semi-long, dense coat needs regular brushing.

It has a rectangular body, with a broad chest and shoulders, a short neck and heavy bones; the hindquarters are as broad as the shoulders. A small fat pad on the belly is normal for the breed. French Wikipedia gives up to 9 kg for males and 6 kg for females; it reaches maturity at about 3–4 years.

General appearance

The head is a broad wedge, with a rounded forehead, a short, broad muzzle and full whisker pads. The coat is longer around the neck and the edges of the face, like a ruff.

Kittens are usually born white and develop their colour as they grow. Almost all colours and patterns are accepted, with or without white; pointed cats can be registered and bred, but cannot compete at CFA or the GCCF.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Ragdoll is the breed it split from; it is always pointed, with blue eyes. The Ragamuffin has more colours and any eye colour.

CFA says it is known more for its sweetness than its intelligence, but because it wants to please, it responds well to its owners' wishes. Many learn to wear a harness and walk on a lead, and some fetch toys. It can be playful, but it is happiest as a lap cat, next to its favourite person.

French Wikipedia describes it as very docile, extremely affectionate and calm; it follows its people around the house to take part in everything.

Socialisation

CFA says it is so tolerant that it does wonderfully with young children.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is not very athletic, but it likes to play. Daily play helps it avoid putting on weight.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

The dense, silky coat is brushed 2–3 times a week, especially around the ruff and on the belly.

Common health problems

The sources we consulted do not describe diseases specific to the breed. Because it comes from the Ragdoll and crosses with Persians were accepted in the past, ask about tests for cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease.

Recommended genetic tests

Ask for the parents' results for cardiomyopathy (heart ultrasound) and polycystic kidney disease.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, CFA or the GCCF).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• “Street urchin”. The name recalls the street cats the breed descends from.
• It nearly became the Liebling. The first name proposed was “Liebling”; Curt Gehm suggested “Ragamuffin”.
• White kittens. Kittens are usually born white and develop their colour as they grow.
• Grows until 4. It reaches maturity at about 3–4 years.

How is it different from the Ragdoll?

The Ragamuffin has more colours and patterns and any eye colour; the Ragdoll is always pointed, with blue eyes.

Is it good with children?

Yes, CFA says it is well suited to families with young children too.

How big does it get?

Males can reach 9 kg, females 6 kg.

Is it recognised by FIFe?

No; it is recognised by CFA, ACFA and the GCCF.